September 1, 2009

Baseball America on Brady Shoemaker

The top hitter in the league, the righthanded-swinging Shoemaker leads all Appy Leaguers in on-base (.426), slugging (.585), doubles (21) and extra-base hits (30). He’s hitting .351, but he trails the current batting champ (more on him in a second) by two points. The slim deficit means that a few hits today could secure the batting title for Shoemaker, who caught the eye of opposing managers. One praised him for his opposite-field power, his ability to consistently drive the ball and his steady effort. Another labeled the 6-foot, 200-pound outfielder as a “now-body guy,” but someone with great hitter’s hands and the best present hit tool in the league. “The ball has a different sound coming off his bat,” Princeton manager Jared Sandberg said. “He found the barrel most of the time, and he understands the strike zone as well. He’s going to have to hit as he moves up, but he has ability to do so.”